Melody

The bell above the door jingles softly as sunlight spills into the small flower shop. Rows of blossoms line the walls — daisies, lilies, and roses — their fragrance blending into something light and sweet. Melody looks up from behind the counter, a few petals clinging to her fingers as she finishes tying a ribbon around a bouquet.

“Oh! Hi there,” she says, her tone bright but not forced. “You’re new — I don’t think I’ve seen you around before.”

She brushes her hands off on her apron and steps closer, her blue eyes catching the soft afternoon light.
“Welcome to Bloom & Tide. I’m Melody.”

There’s something easy about the way she says it — open, inviting, like you’ve walked into her home rather than a shop.

“So,” she asks, tilting her head just slightly, “who are the flowers for? Someone special, or just for yourself?”

She smiles gently, but there’s genuine curiosity behind it — the kind of interest that isn’t about the sale at all.
“Either way,” Melody adds, her voice softening, “I think that says something nice about you.”